Cristin S.
10/03/2016 12:00:00 SA
After a bad experience with another local plumber, I sought out Good Plumbing to install some tricky shut-off valves for me (yes, tricky, you should see the old house I bought). Everything about this experience was light years better than my experience with the other local plumber. Starting with scheduling, I spoke with Rachel on the phone who was very courteous and very accommodating. She asked many questions about what I needed done, and gathered as much information as she could so that the technician would arrive prepared. She even asked that I take pictures of the places I needed the valves installed, and text them to one of the company numbers. I did just that. Shortly after receiving the photos, I was texted back (by whom, I am not sure, possibly Rachel, possibly the business owner) and asked more questions. We ended up swapping my afternoon appointment time to a morning appointment to ensure that the technician had enough time to complete the job. I felt that they did an excellent job of making sure they had enough information to ensure that the job would go smoothly and quickly, which means they weren't only after me for my bucks. The plumber arrived on time, and completed the job quicker than I thought he would. He had to cut into our ceiling and cut in the right spot the first time (yay!) after running up and down the stairs and taking several measurements. He told us they don't put it all back together, but that's no issue, as thankfully I have a handy husband - but something for others to be forewarned about. I think there was only one piece that he needed that he didn't have, and he called the shop for it, and he was able to work on something else while he waited for it to be brought to him.
The only thing that knocks this star rating down for me, is that even though I felt I had a thorough conversation on the phone with Rachel during scheduling, she did mention that they bill at an hourly rate, and they bill out, so I would not be expected to pay the plumber on the day of service. This was fine with me - until I got the bill - and discover they also charge for materials. Now, this is probably just my total ignorance as a homeowner, as a woman, as someone who works in IT and not in the trades, etc - maybe everyone else in the world knows that something like this would be billed hourly + materials, but I did not know, so when I got the bill and it was more than what I expected, it was a bit of a shock. The bill wasn't extraordinary or anything, but it was more than the hourly rate x 5hrs that I was expecting. I think it would be nice if, at the same time they mention that they bill at an hourly rate and bill out, they could also mention that you will be billed for materials too. Regardless, this will not deter me from contacting Good Plumbing again for work in the future. The guy did an awesome job, and I was extremely pleased with the service and handiwork.